TheSTN – NFL: NFC Players Of The Week Announced

Tight end JIMMY GRAHAM of the New Orleans Saints, cornerback RICHARD SHERMAN of the Seattle Seahawks and punt returner DWAYNE HARRIS of the Dallas Cowboys are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the 10th week of the 2012 season (November 8, 11-12).

OFFENSE: TE JIMMY GRAHAM, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Graham had seven catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints’ 31-27 win over Atlanta.

He is the first NFC tight end with at least 145 receiving yards, a 20.0+ yards per catch average and two touchdowns in a game since 1970 (BOB TUCKER, October 25, 1970).

Graham’s 146 yards are a career-high and he tied his career-best with two touchdowns. Including the playoffs, he has six 100-yard performances and five games with two touchdowns.

Both of his TDs came in the second quarter. The first was a 29-yarder from DREW BREES which put the Saints ahead 14-10. Graham’s second TD was a 14-yard pass from Brees 34 seconds before halftime which gave New Orleans a 21-17 lead. The Saints would never trail again as they handed the Falcons their first loss of the season.

Since entering the NFL in 2010, Graham has 23 touchdowns, the most by a tight end in the NFC during that time.

In his third season from Miami, this is Graham’s first career Player of the Week Award. He is the first tight end in franchise history to be honored.

Graham is the first tight end to be named NFC Offensive Player of the Week since 2006 (Atlanta’s ALGECRUMPLER, Week 7).

DEFENSE: CB RICHARD SHERMAN, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Sherman had an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, three tackles and three passes defensed in the Seahawks’ 28-7 win over the New York Jets. Seattle improved to 5-0 at home this season.

Early in the second quarter, with the score tied 7-7 and the Jets at Seattle’s six-yard line, Sherman intercepted a pass to keep New York from taking the lead.

In the fourth quarter, with the Jets driving at Seattle’s 32-yard line, Sherman registered his first career sack for a 16-yard loss. He also forced a fumble on the play, which was recovered by teammateJASON JONES. The Seahawks would score a touchdown on the ensuing drive to seal the game with a 28-7 lead.

Sherman was part of a defense that did not allow a touchdown and held the Jets to 185 total yards of offense (101 passing, 84 rushing). Seattle’s defense allowed 3.7 yards per play against New York.

In his second year from Stanford, this is Sherman’s first career Player of the Week Award.

He is the first Seattle cornerback to be honored since 2008 (JOSH WILSON, Week 16).

SPECIAL TEAMS: PR DWAYNE HARRIS, DALLAS COWBOYS

Harris scored the winning points on a career-long 78-yard punt-return touchdown in the Cowboys’ 38-23 win at Philadelphia. He finished with 97 punt-return yards (24.3 average) and added a special teams tackle.

With the score tied at 17, Harris returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown to put the Cowboys ahead for good with 13:35 remaining in the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys became the first team since the 1966 San Francisco 49ers to score a touchdown via a punt return (Harris), interception return (BRANDON CARR) and fumble return (JASONHATCHER) in the same quarter.

The Cowboys scored three touchdowns in a span of 2:35 (DEZ BRYANT’s 30-yard reception, Harris’ 78-yard punt return, Carr’s 47-yard interception return), the three fastest touchdowns in team history. The previous mark was 3:52, scored by LANCE RENTZEL and Pro Football Hall of Famers BOB LILLY and BOB HAYES in 1969.

In his second season from East Carolina, this is Harris’ first career Player of the Week Award.

He is first Cowboys return specialist to be honored since 2010 (BRYAN MC CANN, Week 11).

2012 NFC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Wk 1

QB Robert Griffin III, Washington

DB Ronde Barber, Tampa Bay

K Blair Walsh, Minnesota

Wk 2

WR Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

DE Calais Campbell, Arizona

P Tim Masthay, Green Bay

Wk 3

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona

DE Chris Clemons, Seattle

K Lawrence Tynes, New York Giants

Wk 4

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

LB Patrick Willis, San Francisco

K Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis

Wk 5

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans

CB Charles Tillman, Chicago

P Johnny Hekker, St. Louis

Wk 6

QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

S Antrel Rolle, New York Giants

K Jason Hanson, Detroit

Wk 7

RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota

CB Charles Tillman, Chicago

P Andy Lee, San Francisco

Wk 8

QB Alex Smith, San Francisco

S Stevie Brown, New York Giants

CB Davon House, Green Bay

Wk 9

RB Doug Martin, Tampa Bay

LB Brian Urlacher, Chicago

CB Sherrick McManis, Chicago

Wk 10

TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans

CB Richard Sherman, Seattle

PR Dwayne Harris, Dallas

Other nominees for NFC Offensive Player of Week 10 as submitted by NFC clubs:

Atlanta tight end TONY GONZALEZ, who had 11 catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons’ 31-27 loss at New Orleans.

Minnesota running back ADRIAN PETERSON, who rushed for 171 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings’ 34-24 win over Detroit.

Minnesota quarterback CHRISTIAN PONDER, who completed 24 of 32 passes (75.0 percent) for 221 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 114.2 passer rating.

Detroit wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON, who had 12 catches for 207 yards and a touchdown in the Lions’ 34-24 loss at Minnesota.

Seattle running back MARSHAWN LYNCH, who rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown.

Dallas quarterback TONY ROMO, who completed 19 of 26 passes (73.1 percent) for 209 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 122.1 passer rating.

Atlanta quarterback MATT RYAN, who completed 34 of 52 passes (65.4 percent) for 411 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for a 100.7 passer rating.

Other nominees for NFC Defensive Player of Week 10 as submitted by NFC clubs:

Dallas cornerback BRANDON CARR, who had a 47-yard interception-return touchdown and four tackles.

Minnesota linebacker CHAD GREENWAY, who had five tackles and an interception.

Tampa Bay rookie cornerback LEONARD JOHNSON, who had an 83-yard interception-return touchdown and five tackles in the Buccaneers’ 34-24 win over San Diego.

San Francisco linebacker ALDON SMITH, who had two sacks and six tackles in the 49ers’ 24-24 tie against St. Louis.

Other nominees for NFC Special Teams Player of Week 10 as submitted by NFC clubs:

Tampa Bay linebacker ADAM HAYWARD, who scored on a 29-yard blocked-punt return and had one special teams tackle.